Exploring Communities of Practice for Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea: Opportunities and Constraints

This article examines the theory of communities of practice (CoP) to explore maritime security governance in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). It aims to add to the maritime security debate in the GoG by proposing how CoPs can serve as a viable support mechanism for the strengthening of maritime security governance where traditional state-led approaches have rendered limited benefits. It explores the potential of physical and virtual CoPs as mechanisms to address limitations arising from poor governance in efforts to counter an ever-growing array of maritime security threats. The article underscores the utility of the CoP and the virtual community of practice (VCoP) in promoting collaboration, incorporating local knowledge, and achieving shared regional goals. By addressing the economic, environmental, and humanitarian impacts of maritime security challenges, effective CoPs can contribute to the protection of critical infrastructure and sustainable fisheries management and to the improvement of regional cooperation in West Africa.